Twinpalms Tented Camp Phuket Review: A Relaxed Weekend Stay at Bang Tao Beach

Some resorts encourage you to explore, while others are designed for staying put. Twinpalms Tented Camp Phuket sits firmly in the latter.

I spent two nights here over a weekend, staying in a lagoon-facing pool tent, and by the end of the first afternoon I’d quietly let go of most of the tentative plans I’d half-made for outside excursions. Between the private pool, easy access to good food and a resort layout designed for slow wandering rather than schedules, it didn’t feel like I was missing out by staying in.

This isn’t a party resort, and it doesn’t aim to be. It’s low-key, grown-up, and very deliberately paced.

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Where is Twinpalms Tented Camp Phuket?

Twinpalms Tented Camp is located just back from Bang Tao Beach, one of Phuket’s longest and more relaxed stretches of sand. While it’s close to popular venues like Catch Beach Club, the resort is set behind greenery and a lagoon system that changes the atmosphere.

This positioning works well if you prefer Bang Tao’s quieter vibe over Patong’s party scene or Kata’s family focus. Being set back from the beach creates a buffer that makes the space feel more secluded than direct beachfront locations, without losing easy beach access.

The beach is about a five-minute walk (around 300 metres) from the lagoon tents. I walked each time, but there’s also a buggy service available if the heat or humidity makes that sound less appealing.

The location strikes the right balance. You’re close enough to Bang Tao’s restaurants and beach clubs when you want them, but far enough away to feel properly removed when you don’t.

Staying in a Lagoon-Facing Pool Tent

The “tent” description undersells what you actually get. These are solid, well-built structures with canvas walls. You get the glamping feel without losing any comfort.

Having stayed in plenty of standard hotel rooms across Phuket, the tent format actually works better for privacy. The individual structures feel more like private villas than hotel corridors, and the canvas walls create better sound insulation than you’d expect — certainly better than most mid-range resort rooms with thin walls.

What the Pool Tents Are Like

My lagoon-facing pool tent opened onto calm water dotted with lily pads, with a private plunge pool positioned for both sun and shade throughout the day. It was quiet with only the occasional sound of birds or the water lapping.

Inside, the tent was spacious and well-organised, with each area thoughtfully designed for both comfort and practicality:

• Bedroom: King-size bed with hotel-quality linen, effective air-conditioning that actually handles Phuket’s heat
• Bathroom: Spacious setup with rain shower, double vanity, and proper water pressure
• Living space: Practical daybeds and seating (not just for show), ample storage for extended stays
• Amenities: Well-stocked minibar, coffee station, complimentary daily refreshments

Why No TV Is Actually a Good Thing

One thing I particularly appreciated was the TV-free setup. For travellers tired of screen time, this setup encourages you to actually disconnect. Wi-Fi is available when needed, but without the television default, you naturally spend time differently. I found myself reading more, floating in the pool longer and generally switching off faster than I normally would.

Turn-down service in the evening included fresh towels, dimmed lighting and a small chocolate which felt like a nice touch without being excessive.

Complimentary coffee, tea and coconut water are available throughout the day, which sounds minor but becomes surprisingly satisfying when you don’t have to think about it.

Eating at Twinpalms Tented Camp and Nearby Venues

Lunch at Lazy Coconut, Bang Tao

Our first meal was lunch at the Lazy Coconut, a beachfront venue that sits directly on Bang Tao’s sand. You really do kick off your shoes here — there’s no pretense about it when tables are positioned where the restaurant meets the beach.

We ordered the Som Tum Platter which included papaya salad with grilled chicken wings, boiled egg, white noodles and crispy pork — which arrived as a proper sharing plate that easily handled two appetites. For dessert, the Acai Bowl with seasonal fruits and raisins was more substantial than expected.

Portion sizes are generous without being excessive, service is relaxed but attentive and it’s the kind of place where lunch can easily stretch into mid-afternoon if you let it.

The setup works well: ocean views from every table, service that moves at a relaxed pace rather than city rush, and a menu that covers Thai favourites alongside Western options with plenty of healthy choices. It’s the sort of place where lunch naturally extends into mid-afternoon if you’re in no hurry to be elsewhere.

It’s exactly the kind of unpretentious beachside spot that works perfectly when you want good food without any fuss.

Breakfast at Catch Beach Club

The breakfast setup combines a buffet spread with à la carte options, giving you flexibility without overwhelming choice. It runs from 7:30am to 10:30am with the full service at 1,150++ per person, which positions it in the premium category but reflects both the beachfront location and the quality of what’s offered.

The buffet covers the basics well — fresh tropical fruit, pastries and lighter options — but what makes it work is being able to order main dishes from the menu that are prepared fresh to order.

I opted for scrambled eggs and salmon from the menu, which arrived quickly and properly prepared while I sat looking out over the ocean. The barista-made coffee was excellent, not the standard hotel offering, and sitting there before the beach filled up with the day’s activity felt like a great way to ease into the morning.

The full spread includes:

• Fresh tropical fruit and juices
• Barista coffee and tea selection
• Main dishes cooked to order from the breakfast menu
• Pastries and breads
• Buffet selection of Asian and Western dishes

What stood out was how calm it felt, even though Catch is known as one of Phuket’s better-known beach clubs. Early in the day, it’s airy, relaxed and unrushed — a pleasant place to start the morning with the sea in view.

Friday Night Buffet at Catch Beach Club

Friday night is BBQ night at Catch Beach Club (7pm-10pm, 2,190 THB including half a bottle of wine), and this was one of the highlights of the stay.

Book this in advance — it’s popular with both resort guests and locals, and Friday nights regularly sell out during high season.

BBQ buffets can be hit or miss, but this one focuses on fresh seafood and succulent meats rather than trying to cover every possible cuisine. The setup focuses on live grilling stations and quality ingredients. This makes a real difference to both flavour and experience.

Having lived in Thailand for a while we’ve had some incredible food, but the BBQ meats here were genuinely hard to resist, particularly given that good quality beef and lamb is very expensive locally. The desserts looked amazing too, but after working our way through all that delicious protein, we simply couldn’t fit them in.

Expect a strong mix of:

• A wide selection of fresh seafood grilled to order.
• Succulent meats from cooking stations
• Thai dishes with proper heat and balance
• Salads and sides that complement the grilled focus
• An impressive antipasto bar with meats and cheeses
• An array of desserts that go beyond the standard

There’s also a beach fire show during dinner, which could easily have been cheesy but was actually entertaining and well done.

Facilities, Spa and Fitness at Twinpalms Tented Camp

On offer are a few daily experiences that feel more like gentle cultural immersion than scheduled entertainment:

• Lotus Petal Folding (Daily, 11am-noon) introduces you to a traditional Thai craft, transforming flowers into intricate designs while learning about their cultural importance.
• Mango Tasting (Daily, 3-4pm) offers samples of Thailand’s beloved fruit. I tried this expecting a variety of different mangos, but it was essentially one perfectly ripe mango served beautifully — still enjoyable, just more modest than the description suggests.
• Chime Hanging (Daily, 5pm) provides a way to connect with your surroundings by writing a wish or intention before hanging your personal chime in the trees.
• Campfire Gathering (Daily, 6:30pm onwards) brings guests together around a fire as the sun sets — a chance to chat to fellow visitors or just enjoy the sunset.

There also offers yoga sessions, fitness options and other wellness-focused offerings.

I enjoyed the gym, I had never seen equipment made of wood, it was high tech and felt rustic at the same time. It’s small but has everything you could want for a decent workout. There was also a range of programs you could choose from a screen to keep you focused.

I also had a massage during my stay, it felt unhurried, professional and genuinely relaxing.

Most of my time, though, was spent doing very little. Floating in the pool. Sitting with a book. Watching the light change over the lagoon. This is a resort that encourages stillness.

Getting Around: the Twinpalms Shuttle

One of the advantages of staying here is access to the complimentary Twinpalms shuttle, which connects their various properties and venues around Bang Tao and nearby areas.

This network becomes particularly valuable if you’re staying three nights or more — it effectively turns your single resort booking into access to multiple dining and beach experiences.

The shuttle network links four Twinpalms properties — Tented Camp (where we stayed), Twinpalms Phuket at Surin Beach, and MontAzure at Kamala Beach, adding easy access to their dining and entertainment venues: Shimmer (upscale dining) and Wagyu Steakhouse (premium steaks and grills). A great option if you are staying more than a few days.

This means you can easily move between different atmospheres — from the quiet lagoon setting of Tented Camp to the beachfront energy of Catch Beach Club, or from casual lunches at Lazy Coconut to more refined dinners at Shimmer or Wagyu Steakhouse — all without arranging separate transport.

While I walked to most places during my stay, knowing the shuttle was available opens up more of Phuket without needing to arrange taxis or drive. It’s particularly useful if you want to dine at another Twinpalms venue or perhaps explore Kamala Beach in the evening without needing to consider transport.

Did I leave the resort?

Barely.

The only time I left the immediate resort area was Friday night, when we walked a short distance to a local restaurant for dinner. It was an easy stroll and there were half a dozen options and even a supermarket within a 5 minute walk. It was a reminder that you’re still in a vibrant part of Phuket, not an isolated bubble.

That said, I never felt bored or confined. Everything I wanted — food, space, comfort and quiet — was already there.

Who This Resort Is (and Isn’t) For

You should seriously consider booking Twinpalms Tented Camp if you’re:

• Couples who want peace and quiet without roughing it
• Travellers who value privacy and personal space
• People who enjoy good food but don’t need nightlife on their doorstep
• Anyone craving a short reset rather than a packed itinerary

Look elsewhere if:

• You’re travelling with young children
• You want constant entertainment or a social scene
• You prefer large resorts with plenty of activity.

If you fit the first category, I’d suggest booking a lagoon-facing pool tent for the full experience. The extra cost over a standard tent is justified by the privacy and direct water access.

Final Thoughts

Twinpalms Tented Camp doesn’t try to impress you with scale or spectacle. Instead, it delivers comfort, calm and consistency. The staff are always available when you need something and are friendly and welcoming.

After two nights, I left feeling genuinely rested — not just physically, but mentally — which is something not every Phuket resort manages to deliver.

If your idea of a good weekend involves fewer decisions, better sleep and not feeling like you need to go anywhere, this place makes a strong case for itself.

Ready for your own quiet escape? Twinpalms Tented Camp typically books up during peak season, so I’d recommend checking availability well in advance, especially for the lagoon-facing pool tents. The Friday night BBQ alone is worth planning your stay around.

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